U.S. Coast Guard practices rescue operation in Lake Superior

By
KBJR News 1

April 3, 2014Updated Apr 3, 2014 at 9:42 PM CST

Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com)--- Just days after a group of anglers was rescued from ice that had broken off the shore of Brighton Beach in Duluth, the United States Coast Guard conducted a practice rescue, at the same spot, to make sure they're ready for any water disaster that presents itself.

Earlier this week anglers went ice-fishing near Duluth's Brighton Beach only to find themselves in a very dangerous situation.

The Duluth Fire Department, St Louis County Rescue Squad, and The Coast Guard were all called in to save the anglers.

The coordinated rescue went off without a hitch.

To make sure events like this have a happy ending the U-S Coast Guard does regular training exercises.

"There hasn't been a lot of traffic on Lake Superior in the past years so this year is relatively unique in that a lot of people are really out enjoying the fishing on lake Superior, so that's what this drill was designed to address. If the wind was to shift, and a lot of people were to get underway on one of these plates of ice and drift off, then we would be able to get them effectively and safely," said Master Chief Robert Pump with Coast Guard Station Duluth.

This is the second training exercise this winter conducted by Coast Guard Station Duluth